Amidst the rugged landscape and enchanting area that is The Trossachs, Wildlife Photography unfolds a breathtaking narrative,
revealing the hidden wonders of nature that inspire our souls and ignite our passion for preservation
Wildlife Days in The Trossachs
Learning how to use your camera and explore different aspects of Wildlife Photography.
Red Squirrels & Kites
If you want your journey into Wildlife Photography to continue, then you are in a good place.
This has lots going for it:
Central Scotland
Great Environment
Superb Wildlife
oh… and it has options!
Here's what I'd like to do differently:
First of all there are no dates booked or reserved.
So, please contact me if you are interested, if you would like to be part of a group, up to 3 (Plus me) can be accommodated, but I’m happy doing this on a one - 2 one basis if you prefer.
And it has options:
It can be a individual outing, say just Red Squirrels or Red Kites but the timings at the facility also permit for both to be done ie you can do Squirrels am, have a lunch break and then return for the Kites… there’s more to this which i’ll come back to.
Start time varies slightly with seasons, in Winter there is not much light before 9am with start time around 9.30am.
Squirrels am, that’s the best time for them, hungry, ready to go and usually very active (the image above was taken on an ‘am’ visit) Great light and the Squirrels come very close (image above was taken with a 70-200mm lens on a full frame body)… they come closer, and if you are more bendy than me, there’s a viewing point at floor level (a 24-70mm lens works down there!)
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE…
Animal/Bird Behaviour
Exposure & Exposure Compensation
Why we shoot in Raw
White Balance
Composition
Both start and finish times are determined by Argaty.
and you can possibly add on Beavers or Ospreys!
The Kites are slightly different, obviously wild but habituated enough to know when its dinner time, you can see them starting to congregate in anticipation... it’s quite a sight.
Start time again varies with Season but its usually around 1-1.30pm which if you are doing both Squirrels & Kites gives you little time for lunch, so make sure you bring something with you including a drink.
We will be at Argaty Red Kites for these Workshops.
How do we meet:
I will meet you at Argaty Red Kites, they have plenty of parking. Should you need somewhere to stay I can advise on that too.
It’s not always possible to get the best of everything, I’m sure you appreciate that. The colourful Squirrel images were taken in September, with beautiful autumnal woodland, the Kite was taken in November with the sun setting illuminating the bird with the golden glow at the end of the feeding.
Yes, I’ve been lucky, I know.
Costs
Squirrels
Individually - £140
Group of 2 - £95pp
Group of 3 - £85pp
Kites
Individually - £140
Group of 2 - £95pp
Group of 3 - £85pp
Squirrels & Kites Full Day
Group of 3 - £130pp
Group of 2 - £140pp
Individually - £150
Costs include the price of the hide
Obviously, if you book as an individual the saving made if more people come will be returned to you.
Just to confirm… NO dates are reserved with Argaty at this point.
Contact myself in the first instance, and if possible have alternative dates to choose from.
Equipment to Bring
For Squirrels a 24-70 & a 70-200 lens’s
For Kites a 100 - 400mm or longer lens
Warm Clothing & Suitable Footwear
Tripod or Monopod (but not essential if you can hand hold the equipment)
Food & Drink
Disclosure: Some of the squirrel pics are not from Argaty, they are included for examples of animal behaviour. ©PhilCrowderA little more detail…
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Maximum of 3 participants BUT 1 person is great too.
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I will meet you at Argaty.
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Because of our proximity to the major cities in Scotland participants may prefer to travel daily. We can advise on places to stay locally. Food Drinks and other expenses are also not included.
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Participants are encouraged to have their own insurance both for equipment and against travel cancellation. Please organise this once you have a confirmed reservation.
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Part Day or Full Day
Further days can be added at additional cost if requested.
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Phil Crowder will tutor this workshop.
Phil is a distinguished professional and published figure in photography, bringing to the workshop a wealth of experience and expertise cultivated through years of dedicated practice.
As an instructor, Phil is renowned for translating technical mastery into accessible learning experiences.
His approach combines technical precision with artistic insight, helping students understand camera settings and composition techniques and develop a deeper, more intuitive relationship with photography.
For workshop participants, learning from Phil isn't just about improving technical skills but about developing a photographic vision—learning to see nature as scenes and narratives waiting to be interpreted through the lens.
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We will be located at Argaty Red Kites for this workshop
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Argaty Red Kites
Last Word…
I wish I could take some credit for this location, Argaty, I can’t.
The people who own it and run it are great people to know and work with.
Both hides are fantastic, the squirrel hide is set amongst beautiful ancient woodland, and as I have mentioned it gives opportunities for close up and intimate images. There is no shortage of other opportunities either, with an abundance of woodland birds always on hand.
The kites have two hides, we will be in the Photography hide.
Again superbly located, just a short walk up a slight gradient from the car park, it takes just 3 photographers and there is a platform/decking area outside if weather permits. That can also be used if preferred.
If you look closely at some of the kite images you will notice they have a glow, that’s from the setting sun… if you get lucky and have a day like I did you will be hooked for life, again testament to the team at Argaty.
ps.. at the start of this page I said “It has options”
What I meant, is that you can do Squirrels & Kites individually or as a Combo day out, BUT what we can also do is a TRIPLE day out and add in, depending on the time of year, BEAVERS or OSPREYS… now that’s a Day out!
Want to know more, drop me an email (there’s a link below in the footer). Date options would be great incase I am busy or Argaty is FULL.
pps.. bring a big memory card and spare batteries, you will need them, and remember lunch and a drink…